Debate in Lansing: Should hunting attire allow for pink?

Orange is the official hunter safety color in Michigan; but pink has been discussed as an alternative.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LANSING — A Michigan man has testified in support of allowing hunters to wear pink so that women can "look and feel attractive" while hunting.

Drew Born submitted a memo to the House Natural Resources Committee in support of allowing pink hunting attire because he believes the option will attract more women to hunting. Hunters currently have to wear blaze orange.

The memo is offensive and out of touch, said Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield.

"I don't think a bunch of men need to tell women what they should wear to make themselves feel attractive while they're out in the woods hunting," he said. "Women across the country realize that men should no longer be speaking for them, not only on their fashion sense, but on more pressing issues in the state."

Born said any methods that would increase women getting involved in hunting are worth it.

"The whole reason to choose pink is for people to have a choice," Born said. "I knew the moment that I phrased it as a women's recruitment tool, it would be taken wrong."

The Legislature passed a bill allowing hunter pink apparel in 2016 if a Natural Resources Commission study found that it could be easily seen. The commission ruled in September that at least half of a hunter's attire must be orange.